Chapter One
“–Kurtz, let’s try reading this book today.”
Artesia held out a single book, perhaps having found it while browsing through the library.
This was around two months after Kurtz had come to the estate.
Kurtz had mastered reading and writing at a pace that surprised even himself, and Artesia, delighted as if it were her own achievement, recommended various books for him to read.
What she had recommended so far were educational books and encyclopedias meant for noble children, but what she brought that day was of a different nature than before.
“I understand. What kind of content does this book have?”
“What I brought today is an [adventure tale].”
“……Adventure tale, you say.”
“Oh my, you don’t seem as enthusiastic as usual. Would you have preferred a fantasy tale instead?”
“If Artesia-sama recommends it……I suppose I’ll try reading it.”
“You had your eyes sparkling at the noble educational books and encyclopedias, but you seem dissatisfied with today’s book.”
“I’ve never read adventure tales or fantasy tales, but I know about their content. Adventure tales are stories that exaggerate real events and turn them into popular entertainment, while fantasy tales depict imaginary lands and characters that don’t actually exist, correct?”
“It’s truly amazing that you’ve acquired such vocabulary in just two months.”
“The educational books allowed me to learn new things, so I enjoyed reading them very much.”
“I think that’s a wonderful attitude, but why are adventure tales and fantasy tales no good?”
“……It’s not that they’re no good, it’s just that I don’t think they’re worth prioritizing over educational books for gaining knowledge.”
During this period, Kurtz was voraciously hungry for knowledge.
He spent all his free time reading books recommended by Artesia, sometimes becoming so absorbed that he would skip meals and sleep.
Looking back now, he probably also had the desire to be praised by Artesia.
However, adventure tales and fantasy tales were fundamentally entertainment books.
While adventure tales were based on true stories, they were strongly influenced by the author’s perspective and opinions, so they couldn’t be called accurate knowledge. As for fantasy tales, they were imaginary knowledge and content that didn’t exist.
For Kurtz at that time, study that built knowledge was more enjoyable than entertainment.
Hearing Kurtz’s words, Artesia smiled and shook her head.
“You mustn’t think of adventure tales and fantasy tales as mere entertainment. It’s true that unlike educational books and academic texts, you can’t learn specialized knowledge from them, but these are [crystallizations and gateways of knowledge].”
“……What do you mean by that?”
“This adventure tale is about a man who hears the voice of an angel and travels while receiving power and advice from the angel to defeat evil demons threatening the world. Do you understand the meaning?”
“Yes, I understand the meaning of the words. Heroes are humans with outstanding power, angels are imaginary winged beings, and the demon king is also an imaginary being said to rule over demons.”
“……Your way of putting it is a bit concerning, but I suppose it’s fine.”
After clearing her throat lightly, Artesia continued her explanation while showing illustrations from the adventure tale.
“Now then, Kurtz, why do you think the concepts of [hero], [angel], and [demon] came to exist?”
“……Isn’t it because the author thought them up?”
“Then, can you understand what elements are necessary for such thinking?”
“…………Talent?”
“No, the foundation of creation and imagination is [knowledge].”
Artesia spoke while pointing to a picture of a winged human.
“Kurtz, do you know why angels have wings?”
“That is……I don’t know.”
“It’s because [birds] were considered sacred among humans in the past. Their appearance soaring through the sky with wings that people don’t possess, beings capable of making the impossible possible for humans. That’s why [winged humans] were depicted as sacred beings standing above humans, capable of making the impossible possible.”
Next, Artesia pointed to another picture of a [demon].
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“Conversely, [demons] are depicted with [beast] characteristics like horns and tails. This represents the consciousness that beasts are inferior to humans, and [evil people] like criminals who have strayed from the human path were considered equivalent to beasts. That’s why words used to insult others often include references to beasts, don’t they?”
“Yes. I heard and was called things like fool, pig, livestock, and sewer rat in the slums.”
“……Those aren’t very praiseworthy words, so Kurtz should refrain from using them.”
With an admonishing tone and a bitter smile, Artesia returned to the topic.
“What’s important here is that creation and imagination are based on fundamental knowledge. Without knowing the background and culture of how birds were revered in the past, [angels] wouldn’t exist. [Demons] wouldn’t exist without knowing the history and thoughts that humans have accumulated. Even if it’s something created by others, there’s always some knowledge or experience at its core.”
Then, Artesia raised her finger with a smile.
“That’s why when I read adventure tales and fantasy tales, I read them by [reverse-calculating the knowledge].”
“Reverse-calculating knowledge……?”
“Yes. I speculate what knowledge forms the basis of these creations and fantasies, apply my own knowledge to them, and if it doesn’t feel right, I combine different knowledge. If I still can’t understand it, I acquire new knowledge. This way, I use a single creation or fantasy as a gateway to expand my knowledge.”
After closing the adventure tale, Artesia once again held the book out to Kurtz.
“Not only does this expand knowledge, but by tracing the process through which creations and fantasies are born, it nurtures broad thinking and creativity, which can be considered training to utilize that as new knowledge. Does that make sense to you?”
“……Is that the proper way to enjoy entertainment books?”
“That’s how I often read them.”
“I understand. I never thought of reading adventure tales from that perspective, so Artesia-sama’s unique reading method is very educational.”
“…………Unique?”
“Yes. I’ve heard adults from the slums and townspeople talking about entertainment books, but none of them spoke from such a perspective.”
“……I’ve always read them that way since I was young.”
Artesia pouted and turned her face away. She was probably feeling conflicted upon learning that reading entertainment books from such a perspective was a minority approach.
“Speaking of which, Artesia-sama, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
To change the subject, Kurtz voiced a question that had occurred to him during their conversation.
“Like the angels and demons you mentioned earlier, do heroes and champions also have foundations?”
“Well……many are based on real people, or great and wise individuals who left their names in history, but if you mean protagonists in stories, I have my own interpretation.”
Puffing out her chest slightly with a confident expression, Artesia shared her interpretation.
“I believe what forms their foundation is people’s [romance].”
“Romance?”
“Yes. Fantasy is the free dreams that everyone harbors. Readers want to become special beings like the protagonists, gain strong power, encounter events impossible in reality……if the protagonist they empathize with could fulfill such fantasies, wouldn’t that be fun and joyful?”
“But there’s also the term ‘convenient plot developments.'”
“Where did you learn such a dreamless phrase?”
“It was written in the dictionary you gave me, Artesia-sama. When I have time, I read through it bit by bit, basically trying to memorize everything.”
“……Your dedication to learning is amazing, but I gave you that dictionary so you could look up words you don’t know, not for you to voluntarily read through and memorize it.”
After poking Kurtz’s cheek with a wry smile, Artesia spoke quietly.
“What I want to say is that those without dreams cannot make dreams come true. Without that driving force of dreams and ideals held in one’s heart, one cannot pursue them or reach the destination. If you think it’s impossible and give up, that’s where hope dies.”
Occasionally, Artesia would speak as if looking into the distance.
That was surely because she had a past of pursuing the ideal of “saving everyone.”
“Even if you have a wish you want to fulfill, and even if that wish is difficult……I want you to continue seeking your ideals. Rather than letting the ideals you hold end as fantasies and pipe dreams, I want you to become a child who can turn them into reality—that’s my wish, I suppose.”
“……I don’t know if I can do it, but I want to try my best.”
“It’s alright, I’m sure Kurtz can do it.”
Saying that, Artesia answered with a bright smile like a young girl.
“That is—the [romance] I seek.”
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